The concept of personal 3D printers has spread like wildfire, and Michigan Tech wants to make sure that the first things that people think of when the innovative product making platform is mentioned include harmony, joy and other peaceful concepts.

The first prize winner gets a Type A Machines Series 1 3D Printer

The last time that I made something with a 3D printer, I designed a blocky triceratops toy to show off to my old 3D computer modeling college course. Since then, people have found plenty of amazing, helpful and groundbreaking uses for these devices, including intricate machine parts, amazing designer models, replica replacement human body parts and printing parts to craft a fully functioning hand gun.

If you can create a design that embodies peace and the ability to make the world a better place, you could win a completely assembled, open-source “Type A Machines Series 1 3D Printer” or other 3D printing supplies for your commitment to helping out your fellow humans from the Printers for Peace Contest.

The second place winner earns a RepRap Prusa Mendel 3D printer kit

Some of the ideas that the judges will be looking for include low-cost medical devices, items that would reduce conflict as well as things that contribute towards solving energy and poverty related issues. I’m sure that there are a whole bunch of 3D printing fanatics in my audience, so here’s how to get your Peacetron 4000 in the running:

Get a Thingiverse account, upload your design and source files, describe why your item is a benefit to mankind, and make 100% sure to tag the design with “Peace Contest” to enter it into the running. Whatever your beneficial design is, it will be judged on how easily it is printed, various aspects of its design, its ability to advance peaceful causes, its ease of use and the printable item’s overall presentation.

The third prize winner gets a sample pack of awesome 3D printer tools from Matter Hackers. (Includes soft PLA like the spools seen here!)

If you’re a 3D enthusiast living in the United States or Canada, you have until September 1st 2013 to submit your design to Thingverse to win one of the three great prizes offered by the Printers for Peace Contest. Click here for more information about the contest, and good luck to you all!